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"Hanoi in autumn, the autumn of Hanoi"
The season of milk flower blossoms fills every breeze with its fragrance.
The season of green rice flakes arrives, their fragrance filling the small hands.
The fragrant aroma of sticky rice cakes on the sidewalk wafts by as you walk by…”
Autumn arrives throughout Hanoi's streets, bringing not only gentle weather but also a symphony of flavors and memories. In the cool breeze of the autumn wind, the capital city not only dons a romantic cloak of golden leaves but also captivates every traveler with its distinctive dishes, treats that can only be fully appreciated when enjoyed during this transitional season, revealing the true "soul" of Thang An (Hanoi).
Com, "A gift from young rice"
When mentioning autumn in Hanoi, people immediately think of green rice flakes (cốm). These tender, fragrant, and mildly sweet green grains have transcended the boundaries of a mere food item, becoming an indispensable cultural symbol of the capital. The writer Thạch Lam himself once called green rice flakes "a gift of young rice" in his work *Hanoi 36 Streets*, praising the essence and purity of this rustic delicacy.
Green rice flakes (cốm) are not only enjoyed fresh, with their delicate sweetness and subtle aroma of rice milk. From green rice flakes, Hanoians have created countless dishes that evoke enchanting childhood memories. These include sticky rice with green rice flakes, fragrant green rice flake patties with the rich flavor of meat, and refreshing, subtly sweet green rice flake dessert. Each way of enjoying them offers an unforgettable aftertaste, perfectly encapsulating the sophistication of Hanoi's cuisine.
Enjoy the autumn season with a steaming bowl of pho.
In the chilly weather, familiar hot dishes become even more appealing and essential than ever. A steaming bowl of pho, a delicate bowl of bun thang, or a hot bowl of pork rib porridge in the morning not only warms the stomach but also makes diners love Hanoi's autumn days even more. The feeling of inhaling the rich aroma of pho while gazing at the streets shrouded in the early autumn mist is undoubtedly a profound and unforgettable experience for anyone who has ever set foot in the capital city.
A unique flavor with ripe star fruit, mudskipper patties, and shrimp cakes.
Hanoi in autumn also delights travelers with culinary specialties that are only available for a short period, reflecting a high degree of seasonality.
One of the indispensable snacks is ripe ambarella fruit and candied ambarella. While young ambarella in summer offers a refreshing, cool, sour drink, autumn brings ripe ambarella fruit, turning a golden yellow, glistening as if gathering all the summer sunshine in its peel. Ripe ambarella is peeled, sliced into spirals, and dipped in a savory mixture of salt, chili, and ginger. The sweet, slightly sour, and pleasantly spicy and crunchy taste creates an incredibly appealing and addictive flavor. Candied ambarella is a wonderful gift choice, as it encapsulates the sweet and sour essence of Hanoi's autumn.
Most notably, Hanoi's autumn cuisine features Cha Ruoi (sea worm patties), a rare delicacy that can only be enjoyed for a short period, around the end of September and beginning of October in the lunar calendar, when fresh sea worms are in season. Cha Ruoi is a delicate combination of the rich sweetness of sea worm meat mixed with chicken eggs, blended with the characteristic refreshing taste of tangerine peel and the aroma of ginger and betel leaves. When fried, Cha Ruoi turns golden brown and fragrant, a dish that warms the hearts of diners in the chilly weather.
In addition, West Lake shrimp cakes are also an attractive and warming treat in the autumn weather. The crispy, golden-brown shrimp cakes, filled with fresh, sweet shrimp, dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce, have created an unforgettable mark in the culinary landscape of Hanoi.
Romantic autumn memories with golden leaves and the fragrance of milk flowers.
Hanoi's autumn not only appeals to the senses of taste but also sight and smell, creating a rare and romantic experience. As autumn arrives, Hanoi transforms. The golden leaves gently fluttering in the cool breeze create a tender and romantic scene. Walking beneath the ancient trees along famous streets like Phan Dinh Phung, Kim Ma, Nguyen Tri Phuong, Hoang Hoa Tham, or Tran Phu, visitors will stop to capture these beautiful moments, reminiscent of scenes from Korean dramas. Golden leaves, blue sky, and gentle sunshine are the elements that create the unique charm of autumn in the capital city.
At the same time, one cannot fail to mention the intoxicating fragrance of milk flower blossoms, an intangible "specialty" that nonetheless possesses the strongest evocative power. This scent, sometimes subtle, sometimes intensely fragrant, permeates the streets, from Nguyen Du and Ba Trieu to Quang Trung and Quan Thanh. The combination of milk flower fragrance and the gentle autumn weather makes visitors even more captivated, creating an indescribable feeling of both romance and nostalgia, making Hanoi in autumn truly wonderful.
